New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-05-06

RESULTS OF THE BROOKLYN INQUIRY.
Substantial and valuable results have been
achieved by the Brooklyn Investigating Com
mittee. In some directions not all was dis
covered that had been hoped, and the committee
found themselves checked by the refusal OF
witnesses TO answer pertinent and essential
inquiries. In the handling of witnesses, on the
whole, the committee hardly showed sufficient
vigor. No penalty followed refusals to answer
the questions of counsel or committeeman.
and the matter was never brought to the at
tention of the Assembly. If this had been
done in the first instance there would have been
10 further trouble. Witnesses would then
have seen clearly that the committee were not
to be trihed with and would maintain their
dignity and exercise their rghtful authority
at all hazards Toward the close, however,
a much better showing was made in this d.
recton.
While the inquiry has not been exhaustive
las it could not be in the time allotted) 1t has
been reasonably thorough so far as made. Ger
tanly no fair minded observer of its work can
think that the investigation has been useless
Look at the facts for a moment Evidence was
produced showing the enormous sums received
by the County Clerk, Register and Sheriff, and
it was made tolerably clear that in the case OF
at least two of these officers the bulk OF the
fees goes into the treasury of political syndl
cato and is used in manipulating ring pollucs
Bills were introduced by Colonel Bacon chang
ing the method of payment from fees to sal
aries, thus putting a stop to grave abuse but
the likelihood that these bills will become
laws is unfortunately not great
IL Of bo
laws and regulations were shown, and the fact
that these laws have been totally disregarded
in spirit and practically nullifed was amply
proved. The whole Civil Service scheme has
been made a tender TO the Democratic machine.
appointments being practically made in advance
and the Endorsement Of Democratic politician
being essential TO securing position.
As for the state of things disclosed in the
town of Gravesend and In the failure to OK
ecute the laws regarding pool-sclling on race
tracks, surely this is not something which tho
people of Brooklyn and Kings County can look
upon with pride.
The most important Developments Of all
were made at the closing sessions Of the Com
mittee in this city. These concerned the
electric light corporations, the manner in which
they were "frozen out > by gang of poll
ticians-Ncvins. the Chief of the Fire De
partment, being the foremost tool of the con-
spirators-and the lcvying of assessments on
the companies by Nevins for the sake OF his
influence in securing franchises. The pay
ment OF considerable sums was proved beyond
doubt, but the disposition made of them was
not clearly shown. Nevins denied that they
were used for improper purposes, but his at
tempts to explain were pitifully weak, and
whenever he was cornercd he suffered con-
venicnt loss Of memory. The evidences OF
corruption are complete and it is plain that
the crime must be brought home TO the guilty
men. If the Committee had had time to 90
into the history of the Union Elevated Rail
road Company, which has some points IN
common with the electric light operations,
they might have struck equally rich develop
ments but upon this they barely touched.
These are the chief matters which the com
mittee took up in the course of the invcsuga-
ton That their report will be awaited with
great interest it is needless to say. The legs
lative session is too far advanced to give hope
for much, if any, beneficial legislation affect
ing Brooklyn But more than enough has been
proved to convince the most reluctant that the
Democratic politics Of our neighbOring city
arc dominated by a corrupt and INSCRIPTIONS
gang. What is the duty Of honest self
respecting citizens under such circumstances
il would DO superfuous TO point out.
--